Three Things I’ll Focus On As UNGA President – Muhammad-Bande

Three Things I’ll Focus On As UNGA President – Muhammad-Bande

The President of the United Nations General Assembly, Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, has revealed that poverty eradication, quality education, and inclusion are his main priorities.

He said this in an interview with UN News.

He stressed that education “equalises everything and everyone.” He also related the connections between education and employment, equality and sense of rights

“Whoever is denied an education is denied almost everything. Look at the connection between education and employment, education and equality, education and a sense of your rights, and around the globe,” he said.

He also explained how access to a better curriculum could lead to less hate, saying ”rather there will be better understanding, better economy, and more equality.”

On poverty eradication, Mr Muhammad-Bande said with the cooperation of member countries, there will be notable progress.

”Each State will provide information on past initiatives which have and have not worked so that a sustainable solution can surface,” he said.

When asked about the improvement of gender inclusion at the UN, he said: “the improvement is really in implementing what we’ve agreed to, that is to restate and to also act in a concerted manner to see that no one is left behind regardless of gender or race or religion.”

Mr Muhammad-Bande was elected president of the 74th session of the General Assembly by acclamation on June 4.

He is to serve the one-year role with a strong mandate from his home government, which nominated him. He was endorsed by the group of African States and adopted unanimously by the member-states.

Prior to his inauguration as the UNGA president, he was the permanent representative to the UN. He also served as the vice-president of the General Assembly during its 71st session in September 2016.